Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, haiku, lunar eclipse, moon stuff, poem, Thoughts on August 30, 2026| Leave a Comment »
I try to share big astronomical events, but I was in the northern woods and missed the lunar eclipse on August 28th. Luck was with me, though. I happened to be awake around midnight and looked out the window to see 93% of the moon missing. What a lovely and unexpected surprise!
The moon veiled in red
Her face turned from the sun’s gaze
Starlight reflections.
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, eclipse, inspiration, meteor shower, Perseids, space on August 12, 2026| 1 Comment »
A quick reminder if you are in the path of today’s solar eclipse: it’s almost time! Here are a few interesting and related articles while you wait:)
The four astronauts who rounded Earth’s natural satellite in April got an extremely rare view of the dark lunar disk blocking out the sun.
The ultimate eclipse chase: A Concorde raced against the Moon’s shadow – Ars Technica
Fitted with telescopes, the plane did our longest imaging of the Sun’s corona.
From Solar corona to human emotions: What can we learn from eclipses? (2-4) – France 24
From the Sun’s corona to animal behaviour and human emotions, these rare celestial events continue to provide scientists with valuable insights more than two millennia after they were first observed.
It’s cloudy here right now but I’m still hoping to have clearer skies. Hopefully you will too, but if not, livestream it here! LIVE: Total Solar Eclipse – August 12, 2026
Here are a couple of other fun tools for mapping the eclipse.
2026 Total Solar Eclipse Interactive Map
New eclipse web app tracks real-time Sun coverage from anywhere in the world | Center for Astrophysics (here’s the app: Solar Eclipse 2026)
And tonight, the best meteor shower show of the year!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, conjunction, eclipse, inspiration, meteor shower, Perseids, planets, space on August 11, 2026| 1 Comment »
Tomorrow is an interesting day, astronomically speaking. Let me check my list; it’s a long one (and be warned, exclamation marks ahead!).
Let’s see:
The Eclipse
Parts of Western Europe will see a total eclipse, the first visible on mainland Europe in 27 years, but many other places on Earth will have at least a partial version. When and where can you see it? Here’s a look at the timing.
What time is the total solar eclipse on Aug. 12, 2026? | Space
While totality will be visible from parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain, millions more people across Europe will experience a dramatic partial solar eclipse. Whether you’re chasing the moon’s shadow in Reykjavik or watching the moon take a ‘bite’ out of the sun from London, Paris, or Berlin, timing is everything.
New York City will only see about 9% totality just before 2pm, for example, but if you happen to be in London at 7:13pm, well, 91% totality for you!
You can look up your own location here: Total Solar Eclipse on August 12, 2026. For me, the max eclipse will take place at 13:42:42.
Not in the eclipse path? Live stream it here! LIVE: Total Solar Eclipse – August 12, 2026 – YouTube
One Spanish museum is taking an interesting approach to the eclipse, and how changes in the light impact our perceptions of art.
A light touch-up: Madrid’s Prado Museum digitally reimagines solar eclipse masterpieces | Euronews
The project, entitled “The Prado in the light of the eclipse”, proposes a progressive transformation of the lighting applied to some of the most iconic paintings in the celebrated gallery. Through this shift in light, the video shows how small variations in illumination can radically alter the perception of colours, shapes and the atmosphere of the paintings, revealing details and nuances that everyday light leaves hidden.
That’s already a lot, and we haven’t even talked about meteors or other planets!
The Meteors
Perseid Meteor Shower 2026—When, Where, and How to See It
Good news, meteor shower fans: the 2026 Perseids peak on August 12–13, under a New Moon—the ideal lunar phase for watching shooting stars.
Here’s a viewing map: Perseids Meteor Shower 2026
The Planetary Parade
And just before sunrise on the 12th, the planetary parade:
August 12, 2026 Sky Events: Solar Eclipse, Perseids, Planet Parade
The day starts before the Sun comes up. On the morning of August 12, six planets — Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, Uranus, Saturn, and Neptune — will appear spread across the sky.
Do not expect a tight line of bright dots. This is a wide planetary alignment, stretching from the horizon across a large part of the sky. Mars and Saturn will be the easiest planets to spot with the naked eye. Mercury will sit low above the horizon shortly before sunrise. Jupiter will be bright, but very close to the horizon. Uranus and Neptune will need binoculars or a telescope.
Check the link above for times, but for me this would be just after 6am.
It’s going to be a pretty special day, astronomically speaking. Actually, I should have set up this post in terms of time (location dependent, of course!), like so:
If you have a few moments and clear sky, check it out. There’s a lot going on up there!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, flyby, Mars, NASA, science, space on August 1, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Yesterday we flew to the Moon, so today what say we go to Mars?
Created from thousands of images, the sequence begins with Mars as a small crescent in the distance. During close approach on May 15, the Red Planet’s cratered surface fills the imager instrument’s field of view. As the spacecraft departs Mars, the changing perspective reveals the planet’s icy south pole.
Want to learn more about the mission? Here’s an article from NASA:
NASA’s Psyche Mission Delivers Mars Flyby Data, Time-lapse Video
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, looks tasty, moon, nature on July 28, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Last night’s moon looked just shy of full, and like a scoop of orange creamsicle ice cream in the sky. Tonight, if the weather gods align, we should be treated to the real thing, the full Buck Moon.
It’s called that because it happens around the time male deer start sprouting antlers in preparation for fall. It’s also known as the Raspberry Moon, which suits me just fine!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, all in this together, astronomy, fun facts, science on July 8, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Another fun astronomy fact today (and for many other days!).
99% of people on Earth will get sunlight at the same time this Wednesday
On July 8, at about 11:10 GMT, about 99 percent of the world experiences sunlight at the same time.
That is pretty cool!
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, aphelion, astronomy, Earth, science, sun on July 7, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Apologies for being ever so slightly behind the times on this, but we just (as in yesterday!) experienced aphelion. That’s right, on June July* 6th at 1:30pm EDT, the Earth and all of its inhabitants (that’s us!) were 152,087,775 kilometers or 94,502,962 miles away from our favorite life-giving ball of fire.
The Earth orbits the Sun in an elliptical path, which means that there is one point on the path closest to the Sun and one point that is farthest away from the Sun.
And in case you were wondering: Aphelion: Earth is as far away from the sun as it ever gets. So why is it so hot?
(* edited because it’s July now, somehow; catch up, brain! And on a related “really far away from the Sun” note, we just watched Project Hail Mary and thoroughly enjoyed it:)
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Posted in Food and..., Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, food stuff, inspiration, moon stuff, summer on June 29, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Tonight’s full moon is the first of the summer, and is also known for marking that sweetest of seasons, strawberry harvest time.
Strawberry moon: How to see the 1st full moon of summer
The moon will not actually appear dark red like a strawberry, but it may take on a slight orange or reddish tint when it first appears above the horizon. That color shift is caused by light scattering through Earth’s atmosphere, similar to the way some sunsets appear more vivid than others.
The farm down the road has pint baskets overflowing with red berries, and later I’m going to make a red and white dessert for Canada Day.
As the moon watches from on high.
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Posted in Holidays, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, Father's Day, solstice, summer, Thoughts on June 21, 2026| Leave a Comment »
Happy Father’s Day, fathers! And happy June Solstice, everyone!
The sun is at its northernmost position today, hovering over the Tropic of Cancer like a thrown ball at its apex. It’s the longest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere and is commonly treated as the first day of summer. As a child, my father painstakingly laid out the night sky with glow-in-the-dark stars on his bedroom ceiling. He passed that curiosity and joy in the world’s magic on to us.
Here’s to happy summer days and family.
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Posted in Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2026, astronomy, look up!, NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day on June 12, 2026| Leave a Comment »
This week, Venus and Jupiter are in planetary conjunction, and unlike some astronomical events this one should be easy to see.
To see Venus and Jupiter together this month, you won’t need binoculars or even a telescope. Just look up after sunset and you’ll find them emerging as the sky grows dark near the western horizon.
Venus-Jupiter conjunction: Sky’s 2 brightest planets meet (includes a helpful video for orientation)
Venus and Jupiter – the sky’s 2 brightest planets – are shining together in the west after sunset. They were closest on June 8 and 9. But June overall offers your best opportunity to see them together.
Even more photos to pique your interest:
Jupiter and Venus dazzle in planetary conjunction photos. Here are our favorites | Space
Enjoy the dance!
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